I'd like to learn to speak basic Chinese (Mandarin)

[PokerGuy]

I speak English and some other western languages, and I think it'd be fun to learn mandarin. It's just for grins, I don't "need" to learn it and I'm not planning to travel there, just seems like a fun challenge.

Driving 35 minutes to and from work every day gives me at least an hour or so that I can spend learning, if I can find free audio courses that I could listen to in the car.

I know there's more than a few ATOT'ers that speak it -- any good ideas on approaches and free tools?

 

[Baked]

My Chinese Coach on DS?

 

[Pepsei]

use pimselur cds... i think i spelled that wrong.

when all else fail, try the line "wo yao gen ni shui jiao"

 

[Farang]

If it is just for fun you might try picking a tonal language with a more favorable learning curve

 

[sonambulo]

Originally posted by: Pepsei
use pimselur cds... i think i spelled that wrong.

'Pimsleur'

The Pimsleur courses are about as good as you're going to get attempting to teach yourself a language. Some folks swear by the Rosetta Stone program but I can't vouch for it personally.

Just for a little background I'm a native English speaker and have formal education in Spanish. Until about two years back I could be considered 'fluent' in Spanish but I haven't been practicing and have lost a lot of vocab as a result. I'm using the Pimsleur courses to learn Portuguese in addition to re-learning my lost Spanish and I really do like them.

However, once you understand the fundamentals of a language there is no substitute for practice. The Pimsleur courses can only take you so far. You understand?

 

[Drakkon]

http://www.livemocha.com/ - kinda an interesting way to learn to speak if your not against helping others learn your language

 

[Semidevil]

This is good book.
here.

I have the cantonese version and I love it(my first language is cantonese too).

 

[ScottMac]

Radio China has a 'Speaking Chinese' class program (it's at least weekly, I think).

Get yourself a World Band Radio and possibly a "Passport to Worldband Radio" book / guide.

World Band Radio is good for folks learning languages ...

Good Luck & Happy Holidays

 

[brandonbull]

See if Micheal Phelps has an extra copy of Rosetta Stone.